Journal of BIOLOGICAL RESEARCHES ISSN: 08526834 | E-ISSN:2337-389X

Volume 22| No. 2| June | 2017

Original Article

Water quality and fish diversity in the Brantas River, East Java, Indonesia
Alfiah Hayati*, Nureka Tiantono, Muhamad Fadhil Mirza, Iman Dary Supriyadi Putra, Muhamad Maulana Abdizen,
Antien Rekyan Seta, Binti Mar`atusEAST JAVA, Hilman
Solikha, Muhamad INDONESIA
Fu'adil, Trisnadi Widyaleksono Catur Putranto,
Mochamad Affandi, and Rosmanida
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universitas Airlangga

Abstract
This research aimed to determine the water quality and fish diversity in Brantas river. Three station for sampling locations were in the upstream (one
station on Karangkates reservoir) and downstream (two stations on the Surabaya and Jagir river). Water quality parameters were BOD, COD, DO,
pH, temperature, and the levels of heavy metals (Pb, Cr, Cu, and Cd). Fish specimens was identified using fish identification book. The results of this
research indicated that there was a difference in the water quality of upstream and downstream of the Brantas river. On the upstream, the source of
pollution was mostly from fish catching, agriculture, and industrial activities. While on the downstream of the river it mostly dominated by industrial
waste and domestic waste. The water quality in both stations had far exceeded the quality standards that was included in the polluted category. The
concluded that Brantas river has been contaminated by waste (heavy metals), exceeded the water quality standard. The diversity of fish in the down-
stream (Surabaya river) has the highest diversity values, followed Jagir river and in the upstream (Karangkates reservoir) has the lowest value of
diversity. Brantas river water was included in the category of moderate diversity.

Keywords: Brantas river, water quality, heavy metal, fish

Received: 12 January 2016 Revised: 07 April 2017 Accepted: 12 May 2017

ecosystem such as fish. River pollution is generally

Introduction
Brantas river is the second longest river in Java
island after Bengawan Solo (Usman,-). The downstream
of Brantas river branches off to become Surabaya river
and Porong river. Surabaya river branched into Kali Mas
and Jagir river, then it flows into the Java Sea. Brantas
river has very important role for east Java’s rice
cultivation, it provides water for irrigation and also
domestic water supply for the cities along the stream.
Located on the upstream side of Brantas river is
Karangkates reservoir. The ecosystem on the upstream
and downstream of Brantas river is highly effected by
anthropogenic pressure. This anthropogenic pressure
comes from the number of residential buildings,
agriculture, and industries which build along downstream
Brantas river Surabaya river (Begum et el., 2008;
Nugrahadi et al., 2011).
The number of residential buildings along the river
has increased the pollution load of Brantas river, there are
also many industrial activities contribute in increasing the
pollution by disposing the waste directly into the river.
The Brantas river watershed which flows in Surabaya has
many uses, both directly and indirectly. The direct uses of
the river are as clean water source for domestic uses,
provides water for local water company, and support
livelihood of local fisherman. The indirect use is as the
habitat of aquatic biotas that serves as food source for the
people in Surabaya city and as bio-indicator of the
caused due to high levels of heavy metals. Heavy metals
contained in the river was toxic and disrupt aquatic ecolo-
gy. These pollutants have a negative impact on water
quality and biota of water as a source of animal protein
(Akobundu, 2012).
Fish is one of aquatic biotas that plays important role
in the stabilization of water ecosystem and also for the
people along the stream (Pracheil, 2010). High levels of
fish diversity indicates high quality of waters ecosystem,
so that the level of fish diversity can be used as indicator
to estimate water quality and level of pollution presents in
the waters (Ngodhe et al., 2013).
Method
The materials used in the measure-ment of water
quality were samples of water which directly taken from
Brantas River, titration solution, digital camera (Canon
EOS 550 D and Sony), Fish Identification Guidebook
(Kottelat et al, 1993).

 Corresponding Author:
Alfiah Hayati
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology,
Universitas Airlangga
Phone : 081 330 950 399
e-mail : alfiahayati64@yahoo.com Figure 1. Sampling station was in the upstream and the downstream of
Brantas river (arrow)

http://dx.doi.org/10.23869/bphjbr.22.2.20172
Published by © PBI East Java. Open Access  www.berkalahayati.org
43
 Hayati et al.
Sampling (water and fish) were three stations: one
station on the upstream of the Brantas river (Karangkates
reservoir) and two stations in the downstream of the
Brantas river (Surabaya and Jagir river). Sampling were
done in March, June and September 2016. Sampling was
repeated twice on each station.
Measurement of Water Quality
Samples of water were taken using Water Sampler,
then the physical and chemical parameters were measured
in the field. The quantity of dissolved oxygen (DO) was
determined by electrochemical method using DO meter.
The water temperature was measured using Mercury
Thermometer. The water acidity was estimated using pH
meter and Litmus paper.
Measurement of Water Transparency
The water transparency was measured using Secchi
Disk. To accurately estimate the water transparency,
ensured that the Secchi Disk was installed properly in the
rope. After that, the Secchi Disk was slowly lowered into
the water until the white disk is no longer visible. The
length of the rope was measured using measure tape or
ruler to obtain the first depth. Then, the Secchi Disk was
pulled slowly until the white disk was visible, and the
second depth was measured. The value of water
transparency was the average of the two depth [Water
transparency (cm): (1st depth + 2nd depth)/2].
Measurement of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
BOD measurement was done in several stages. The
first stage was made of the reference solution, namely by
entering the diluent solution which has been made into
two clean bottles to the brim and then sealed. The first
bottle directly titrated to determine DO in zero day (DO 0)
and a second bottle was stored in an incubator 20 ° C dur-
ing the five days (DO5 blank), then prepare 12 bottles
BOD for dilution, the next stage of dilution of samples,
water samples obtained included in 12 BOD bottles for 6
types of dilution, then enter the dilution water. The first-
sixth bottles were evaluated the specified DO in zero day
(DO0). In the seventh - twelfth bottles were incubated at
20 ° C for five days (DO5). Furthermore, namely stage
BOD value calculation, the formula used to calculate the
BOD value is as follows: BOD5 (20 ° C 5 days) = (DO0 -
DO5 sample) x dilution.
Measurement of COD
To measure the COD beforehand the water samples
were taken using water sampler, then placed in sampling
bottle and kept in ice box. After that, 5 ml of sample was
pipetted into 250 ml Erlenmeyer tube. Then added 1 gr of
Hg2SO4, 1 mL K2Cr2O7 (0,25 N), 3 mL reagent that
contains Ag2SO4 and H2SO4, placed the screw-cap and the
Erlenmeyer was shook until homogenous. Then, the COD
tube was placed inside the COD incubator under the
temperature of 1480C for two hours. After incubated for
two hours, the sample was then heated and the COD
incubator was turned off. The solution inside the COD
tube was then poured onto new Erlenmeyer tube and the
COD tube was washed with distilled water. Ferroin
Journal of BIOLOGICAL RESEARCHES | Volume 22 | Number 2 | June | 2017
44
indicator was added into the solution and the titration was
done by adding Ferro Ammonium Sulphate (FAS) 0.1 N.
The calculation of COD levels was conducted to both
blank and samples.
Measurement of heavy metals levels
Heavy metals (Pb, Cr, Cu, and Cd) in water sample
were detected by AAS. Water samples were collected
from three different sampling station, one station in the
upstream (Karangkates reservoir) and two station in the
downstream (Surabaya and Jagir river) of Brantas river.
Samples were collected in good quality screw-capped
high density pre sterilized polypropylene bottles, 1 L each
bottles. Then the bottles were labelled properly and
analysed in laboratory to detect the levels of metals by
Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS). High pure (Anal
R grade) chemicals and double distilled water were used
for preparing solutions for analysis. Preservation and
analysis of water samples were based on Standard
Methods proposed by American Public Health
Association (APHA). The selected metals used in this
study were Pb, Cd, Cr, and Cu.
Fishes Identification
Sampling fish in every station done by catching on
the small boat for 2 hours. Mesh sizes for one mess then
identified using Fish Identification Book. The book used
in identifying the fish species is the Identification Book
by Kottelat et al (1993).
Measurement of Diversity Index
The fish diversity was estimated through evaluating
the fish species diversity or heterogeneity index. The
species diversity was evaluated using formula of Shanon-
Wiener’s diversity index (1949):
H' = Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index
ni = Number of individual types of all n
N = Total number of individuals
Data Analysis
The data obtained from the observation and
measurement of the water quality was analyzed using
descriptive statistic.
Results
The result showed that the water quality in Brantas
River is varies in each sampling location. It relates to the
physical-chemical factors of waters in Brantas River.
During the research, the average amount of rainfall in
Surabaya, according to the Indonesian agency of
Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics (BMKG) is
presented in Figure 2.
 Water quality and fish diversity in the Brantas River
Figure 2. Amount of rainfall (mm) in Surabaya City (BMKG, 2016)
The rainy season is characterized by the amount of
rainfall over 50 mm, meanwhile the dry season occurs
when the rainfall is less than 50 mm.
Based on these dates, the result obtained from the
sampling during March to September 2016 in three
stations (one station of the upstream (Karangkates
reservoir) and two stations at downstream (Surabaya and
a
a
a
b
a a
b
a a
a a a
Figure 3. The water quality of the upstream and downstream of Brantas river in 2016
Statistical analysis (ANOVA) showed no sig-
nificant (P>0.05) difference between the quality of
the water (temperature, DO, pH, and COD) with a
third variation of the sampling station (upstream
and downstream), except transparency and BOD.
Transparency in the upstream (Karangkates reser-
voir) is higher than the downstream (Surabaya and
Jagir river) and BOD in the lower upstream than
downstream.
The data variations and levels of heavy metals
in the water of the Brantas river is presented in
Figure 4. The results showed concentrations of
heavy metals (Pb, Cr, Cu, and Cd) downstream
Journal of BIOLOGICAL RESEARCHES | Volume 22 | Number 2 | June | 2017
Jagir river) showed that the water quality in this location
is very low and exceeded the water quality standard
(Figure 3). Water quality standards (East Java Governor
Regulation No. 61 Year 2010) is 3 ppm for BOD, 25 ppm
COD, 4 ppm DO, while a pH of 6-9, and a temperature
deviation of 3°C.
a
a b
a a
Brantas higher than upstream. Based on data from
heavy metals (Figure 4) shows the concentration of
heavy metals in the Brantas river has exceeded the
quality standards. The quality standard Pb (0.03
ppm), Cr (0.05 ppm), Cu (0.02 ppm), and Cd (0.01
ppm).
Results of statistical tests (ANOVA) showed
no significant (P>0.05) difference between the con-
centrations of all heavy metals (Pb, Cu, and Cd)
with a variety of sampling stations (upstream and
downstream), except Cr. Cr concentration in higher
downstream than upstream.
45
 Hayati et al.

Figure 4. The levels of heavy metals on the upstream (Karangkates reservoir) and the downstream (Surabaya River and Jagir River) of
Brantas River in 2016.

Results of sampling fish in the river Brantas
(Karangkates reservoir, Surabaya and Jagir river)
found various kinds of fish. The diversity of fish in
the river Brantas shown in Figure 5.
The results of the fish sampling upstream and
downstream of the river Brantas shows the average
fish most commonly found in the downstream (Ja-
gir river of 108.67 individu), then followed up the
Brantas river (Karangkates reservoir of 98.67 indi-
vidu), whereas in other Brantas River downstream
(Surabaya river just 95.67 individu). The number of
fish species diversity of 25 species, with 13 species
of details in the upstream and downstream (Sura-
baya river river Jagir 19 species and 17 species)
(Figure 5). In Karangkates reservoir fish species
most commonly found are Amphilopus labiatus (55
animals), Surabaya river that Barbonymus goniono-
tus (35.33 individu), and Jagir River species most
commonly found was Hemibragus nemurus (Table
1).

Figure 5. Fish diversity in Brantas River

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46
 Water quality and fish diversity in the Brantas River

Table 1. The average number of fish species found in the upstream and downstream Brantas river
Upstream Downstream
No Species Local names
Karangkates Surabaya
Jagir river
reservoir river

1 Barbonymus balleroides Bader Merah 3.83 25.67 7.00

2 Barbonymus gonionotus Bader Putih 4.83 35.33 8.67

3 Osteochillus hasseltii Montho 2.17 6.33 0.67

4 Systomus rubripinnis Muraganthing 0.00 1.33 0.67

5 Anabas testudineus Bethik 0.00 2.50 0.67

6 Channa striata Kuthuk 1.50 3.17 1.00

7 Oxyeleotris marmorata Bloso 1.33 2.17 1.33

8 Notopterus notopterus Papar 0.00 1.50 0.00

9 Pseudolais micronemus Jendil 0.00 1.00 10.67

10 Macrognathus aculeatus Sili 0.00 2.50 0.00

11 Hemibragus planiceps Keting 0.50 2.83 39.00

12 Hampala macrolepidota Palung 0.00 1.17 3.33

13 Monopterus albus Belut 0.00 0.17 0.33

14 Clarias batrachus Lele Sungai 0.00 0.50 2.33

15 Liposarcus pardalis Sapu-sapu 0.67 0.67 1.67

16 Hemibragus nemurus Rengkik 0.00 0.67 26.67

17 Oreochromis mossambicus Mujair 20.50 4.50 0.00

18 Amphilopus labiatus Lohan red devil 55.00 0.00 0.00

19 Pangasius humeralis Patin 1.17 0.00 0.00

20 Trichogaster trichopterus Sepat 1.17 1.50 0.33

21 Rasbora argyrotaenia Wader 4.67 0.00 0.00

22 Osphronemus gouramy Gurami 1.33 0.00 0.00

23 Oreochromis niloticus Nila 0.00 2.17 0.00

24 Clarias gariepinus Lele Dumbo 0.00 0.00 3.00

25 Lates calcalifer Cukil 0.00 0.00 1.33

The average number of fish 98.67 95.67 108.67

The calculation result of diversity index of Shannon-
Wienner showed that the value of fish diversity index
highest in the downstream (Surabaya river at 1.8030),
followed Jagir river (1.6294) and the upstream (Ka-
rangkates lowest reservoir 1.3913). The one of the species
that dominate upstream ie Amphilopus labiatus invasive
species. The existence of this fish makes the loss of other
fish species. This makes the species found in the upstream
fewer than downstream (Figure 6). Species are few and
difference between the abundance of species from each
other will make the value of diversity to be low.

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 Hayati et al.
Figure 6. The values of fish diversity index in Brantas River based on Shannon-Wienner’s index (1949).
Discussions
The dry season was happened from June to October
(Figure 2) that in the years 2011-2015, while the rainy
season was happened in the rest of the months. But, this
pattern is different from 2016 where it rain almost
throughout the year. This happened because Indonesia,
specifically Surabaya, is located in very strategic area,
where it located in tropic region between two continents
(Asia and Australia) and two oceans (Pacific and Indian
Ocean), so that the region is very vulnerable to climate or
weather change. The weather anomalies that happened in
2016/2017 was caused by natural phenomena, namely the
El Nino and La Nina and also the changes in sea surface
temperatures.
Based on this data can be seen that in the upstream
and downstream of the Brantas river has been polluted
organic waste (Alaerts and Santika, 1984), where most of
the pollution comes from household and industrial waste.
Based on the water quality parameters, it can be seen that
the downstream part of the Brantas river has contamina-
tion levels higher than the upstream part, this is because
many domestic and industrial waste that enters the waters
of the downstream of Brantas river, besides the pressure
of pollution from the upstream also increases the pollu-
tion load on the lower reaches of the Brantas river.
In the Brantas river upstream fish is dominated by
family groups Cichillidae one of which is Amphilopus
labiatus a fish species that are invasive alien who came
from Nicaragua, Latin America (Loiselle, 1998), thus
reducing the presence of other species. Additionally cir-
cumstances Karangkates Reservoir waters which are ta-
pering also supports the development of this Amphilopus
labiatus. According Baensch & Fischer (2007), the most
suitable habitat for fish Amphilopus is the stagnant waters
of the lake. The fish most commonly found in the section
essentially rocky and not commonly found in the section
where the water tends to flow. In the downstream of the
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Brantas River precisely in Surabaya River, the species
most commonly found are Barbonymus gonionotus, this
is because the nature of the waters of Surabaya River is
lotik and fish Barbonymus gonionotus fish families Cy-
prinidae According to Cummins and Wilzbach (2008),
fish Cyprinidae have high adaptability the most important
environmental factors in rivers, namely the strong current.
Adaptation to the strong currents which have the ability to
swim fast. This fast swimming abilities possessed by the
species of the family Cyprinidae so as to fight the current
strong enough to pass through the fish ladder. Fish Cy-
prinidae have an aerodynamic body shape to be able to
move to maintain its position in the strong current to get
food in the form of invertebrates that float along the water
(Cummins and Wilzbach, 2008). In Jagir River fish spe-
cies most commonly found are Hemibragus nemurus this
is because the fish species is a group Siluriformes fish or
catfish. According Vannote et al., (1980) on the river
width or downstream (Order > 6) is dominated by inver-
tebrates collector types and usually in dominance by fish
groups and groups of fish species of catfishes planktivo-
rous (plankton). This is the reason fish group Siluriformes
one Hemibragus nemurus found many in Jagir river.
Based on the results of the diversity according of
Odum (1971) included into the range of categories be-
tween 1 <H '<3 where the range of those categories wa-
ters Brantas river can be inferred to have diversity being,
productivity is quite balanced, pressure ecological being,
and stability being.
Acknowledgement
Author would like to thank for DIPA BOPTN Air-
langga University which has provided funding in research
decentralization activities in 2016.
 Water quality and fish diversity in the Brantas River
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